Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
In First Mayoral Debate, Maya Wiley Presses Andrew Yang On Nondisclosure Agreements
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Feb 1, 2021
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
screenshot
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Feb 1, 2021
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
In what was the sharpest jab of the first mayoral debate of the season, Maya Wiley took Andrew Yang to task on Sunday over reports that his campaign had used confidentiality agreements and cultivated a culture that was described as demeaning to women.
“As a civil rights lawyer, I was shocked to hear that you have a nondisclosure agreement, that sounds very Trumpian,” Wiley said to Yang. "Will you commit to allowing your campaign staff to complain publicly about workplace misconduct?”
Wiley's comments at the debate — which was hosted over Zoom by Brooklyn Democratic County Committee — came following two critical stories about Yang's campaign. The Daily News obtained a copy of a nondisclosure contract, which requires staffers to promise not to “disclose” or “otherwise misappropriate any confidential information either during or after volunteering for the campaign.” Meanwhile, Business Insider published allegations from women who worked on Yang's presidential campaign and said they experienced a bullying "bro culture."
Yang said that his campaign was no longer using nondisclosure agreements and that they had been used only for data employees. "Just to clarify for folks, we have nothing to hide," he said.
The exchange was the first direct face-to-face, albeit virtual, confrontation between the candidates, who have been participating in a string of forums. Sunday's debate had been at jeopardy after the Brooklyn Paper revealed that Lori Maslow, a party vice chairwoman and district leader, made racist comments against Chinese and Palestinians on Twitter. Several candidates said they would skip the debate in protest. By Sunday, however, Maslow had resigned from both her positions.
Still, two candidates did not take part in Sunday’s event: Dianne Morales, who accused the Brooklyn Democratic Party of participating in “bad faith politics” in its handling of Maslow, boycotted the debate. A representative for City Councilmember Carlos Menchaca said that he was not invited, however, he had previously stated he would boycott the group’s debate. The two are considered the most left-leaning of the 10 major candidates.
Experts had predicted that the introduction of ranked-choice voting, in which voters can rank several candidates rather than only one choice, would lead to more civility between the candidates because there is an incentive to win over voters as their second or third favorite.
That has largely borne out, with the candidates striking polite and agreeable tones. But Sunday's one-hour debate marked the first opportunity candidates were allowed to ask each other questions.
But rather than singling out the perceived frontrunners—Scott Stringer, Eric Adams, Andrew Yang—the candidates spread their questions across the group.
Shaun Donovan, the former Obama cabinet official, asked former CitiGroup executive Ray McGuire to explain his role during the 2008 foreclosure crisis, in an apparent attempt to tie McGuire to one of Wall Street's ugliest chapters in history. Donovan noted how foreclosures disproportionately impacted Black homeowners.
McGuire responded to the insinuation by calling Donovan, "Shaun Obama," a remark which elicited smiles from some of the other candidates.
He defended himself by saying that he worked for four decades in investment banking, which focuses on mergers and acquisitions and is separate from those involved in mortgage-backed securities who were blamed for the housing crisis.
“I think you know this," he said to Donovan. "I didn’t have anything to do with that.”
Noting his own experience with racism, he said he had a track record of directing investment in communities of color.
In perhaps the biggest cakewalk question of the night, McGuire asked former Sanitation commissioner Garcia to identify what she thought was working well in city government.
On the eve of a major snowstorm, Garcia responded: "Tonight, sanitation will do an absolutely phenomenal job plowing snow."
Tagged
mayoral debate
mayoral election
election 2021
Elizabeth Kim
Elizabeth Kim is a reporter on the People and Power desk who covers mayoral power. She previously covered the pandemic, housing, redevelopment and public spaces. A native of Queens, she speaks fluent Mandarin. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Published Oct 17, 2026 at 1:16 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 17, 2026 at 4:10 p.m. ET
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .